Purchase recommendation used 4wd Prado vs Patrol

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 21:10

ThreadID: 106800 Views:5524 Replies:12 FollowUps:8

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PGU

Hey community,
I am currently looking to buy a used 4wd. I have narrowed it down to two vehicles and now I would love some second opinions on which one to take.

I am planning to drive once around Australia within one year, mostly living in and around the vehicle. Of course I will visit the classic tourist destinations, but I also like to travel into National Parks and go hiking and exploring. I have no real 4wd experience, but during my stay in Australia (I am from overseas) I would definately try some light/easy tracks. But in the end it will probably be 70% sealed roads, 25% dirt roads and 5% tracks.

Both come with RWC and I will put them into a pre-purchase inspection just to make sure.

---Option A---
2007 Toyota Landcruiser Prado KDJ120R GXL
110.000km
6 speed Manual
Extras: ARB Bullbar, OME 2" ´lift suspension, Safari Snorkel, ARB Roof rack, Light force lights, Maxxis mud tyres plus small tow bar, electric brakes and bonnet protector
Negotiated price: 31.000$

---Option B---
2007 Nissan Patrol GU4 DX
80.000km
4 speed Automatic
Extras: Nissan Kit with Bullbar incl rail, side steps, Tigerz electric winch with rope and a Nissan snorkel, full Tigerz Roof rack with Foxwing Awning, Roof console, Narva HID lights and light bars, OME 2" lift suspension, cooper A/T tyres plus small tow bar
> No "grenade" problems according to owner and also no kit fitted against it
Negotiated price: 27.000$

The Nissan comes with more extras (around 3.000$ more I guess) and low kilometers for its age, but it seems to me that it is a bit overpriced. The price isn't really the issue, but the reselling value would be. I would want to loose as little money as possible when I sell it again in one year.

Does anyone have a opinion/recommendation?

Thank you

PG

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Reply By: Oldbrowny - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 21:46

Reply By: The Bantam - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 21:52

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 22:18

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 22:18

You'll have no problem selling a Prado in 12 months. Selling the 3 litre patrol might be a problem.

The one you're looking at looks like its done a bit of offroading - it's not often that people put muddies on a Prado. I'd also want to know what it has been towing, especially because it's a manual. And the 2007 is within the window that the common rail motors had injector problems - worth asking about.

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Follow Up By: Member - Rowdy6032 (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 22:52

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 22:52

Hi

As Phil has said above, get the injectors checked on the Prado.

That model is prone to injector problems and you will be looking at approx. $4500 to have them replaced if there is a problem.

I have the same model (manual), about the same mileage and while I am more than happy with it the cost to have the injectors replaced was a bit of a bummer.

Regards
Rowdy

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Follow Up By: PGU - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 23:04

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 23:04

Is checking the injectors something that would be easy to do on a pre-purchase inspection?

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Follow Up By: Member - Rowdy6032 (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 23:22

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2014 at 23:22

I can only tell you what they did with mine. Probably best done by a diesel specialist.

Checked the injectors while hot, kept it overnight and checked them in the morning while cold. This gave them the information they needed.

Maybe someone with a bit more knowledge may be able to explain it a bit better.

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Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 20, 2014 at 06:38

Thursday, Mar 20, 2014 at 06:38

These people have a lot of good information on common rail injectors and no where near the $4k price that Toyota charge. Cheers, Bob
http://www.baileysdiesel.com/on-highway/

FollowupID: 811329

Follow Up By: Member - Rowdy6032 (WA) - Thursday, Mar 20, 2014 at 13:08

Thursday, Mar 20, 2014 at 13:08

There is a bit more to it than just replacing the injectors.

If the injectors are faulty carbon will get into the oil and get picked up by the oil screen near the sump. It is my understanding that it is the screen getting blocked by the carbon that causes major engine failure. If this is the case the screen will have to be removed and either replaced or cleaned. Your oil and filters will also have to be changed.

Pradopoint has 40+ pages detailing this issue.

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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Mar 20, 2014 at 18:59

Thursday, Mar 20, 2014 at 18:59

I wasn't going to mention it before because it wasn't in the original question, , but if I were looking at a 6+ year old Prado, I'd be looking at the V6 Petrol.
Reasons being they are stacks cheaper to buy, are less likely to have been used offroad or for towing, are very reliable, usually have fewer k's on the clock, and the running cost is not much different to the diesel (91 octane petrol is often cheaper than diesel; cheaper servicing on the petrol vehicle, and none of the "contaminated diesel" problems.
180litre tanks take you a long way @ 13.2 l/100k on the V6.

Main downside is that they are harder to sell than the diesel models (all comes down to price) but I expect would still be easier to sell than a 3 litre Patrol.